It’s official: holiday planning is in full swing. And whether you’re hitting the road for Thanksgiving or flying home for the holidays, it’s time to think about your travel plans.
Haven’t booked your flights yet? Still unsure what to pack? Worried about the weather? These six holiday travel tips will help you plan and prepare for your trip:
1. Book your flights in advance for the best prices
According to Google, the best time to book Christmastime flights is now through mid-November. Prices will climb the closer you get to the holiday. And if you haven’t booked flights for Thanksgiving yet, do it ASAP. The best Thanksgiving flight deals (likewise according to Google) happened in October, so the sooner you book, the better.
2. Plan ahead for holiday travel weather
Being informed about and prepared for weather conditions and possible weather events can help you pack—and keep your holiday travel plans on track. TripIt provides the weather forecast based on your trip itinerary right in the app. You can find weather forecasts on the plan details screen for plans with a single address/location. This includes lodging, restaurants, car rentals, and activities, such as concerts, theaters, tours, and more.
Related reading: Flying During the Winter: 4 Ways to Prepare
3. Know about potential travel disruptions in advance
Whether it’s a sudden snowstorm or a technology outage, travel disruptions happen. And when they do, it’s helpful to know about them as early as possible so you can pivot your holiday travel plans quickly—and get your trip back on track.
With TripIt Pro Risk Alerts, you’ll receive notifications when there’s a potential airline or airport incident that may cause your holiday travel plans to go awry. With critical information at your fingertips, you’ll be ahead of the masses when it comes to re-strategizing your travel plans. This could mean getting to the airport four hours early instead of two, so you don’t miss your flight; rescheduling your flight to the next morning to avoid a storm; or packing a carry-on instead of a checked bag if baggage handlers are on strike.
Read more: Get Ahead of Travel Disruptions With TripIt Pro Risk Alerts
4. Decide when you’ll get to the airport
If you’re flying within the U.S. this holiday season, the guidance according to most airlines, as well as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is to arrive two hours before your flight. Given the busyness of the holiday season, you may want to arrive earlier than that, especially if you need to check a bag, you don’t have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, or you’re parking at the airport.
If you’re flying out of U.S. airports to international destinations, plan to arrive at least three hours before your flight. International flights require more screening, whether it’s reviewing passengers’ passports, visas, health documentation, or other travel documents. You’ll also want to leave extra time for checking bags, going through security, and/or parking at the airport.
DYK? TripIt Pro’s Go Now feature alerts you when you should leave for your drive to the airport based on your current location, flight status, and real-time traffic conditions. Once you've enabled Go Now in the TripIt app, you’ll receive a push notification 10 minutes before it’s time to go, along with an estimated arrival time once you’re on your way to the airport.
Traveling outside the U.S. this holiday season? Guidelines can vary country to country, so plan to consult your airline’s or departure airport’s recommendations for when to arrive at the airport.
5. Navigate the airport with TripIt Pro’s Interactive Airport Maps
Once you’re at the airport, you can consult TripIt Pro’s Interactive Airport Maps to get to your gate—or another destination, like a lounge, restroom, or restaurant. You’ll get step-by-step walking directions, plus an estimate for how long it will take to get there.
6. Download these holiday travel apps
In addition to the TripIt app, you might also want to download these apps to make your holiday travels easier:
- Mobile Passport Control: If you’re traveling internationally over the holidays, consider this app to help expedite your entry into the U.S. Simply download the app and submit your passport information to get started.
- Priority Pass: With an annual membership, you can gain access to more than 1,300 airport lounges and experiences around the world. Plus, the app helps you locate their lounges, save your favorites for later, and more.
- SpotHero: Planning a road trip? Renting a car for your holiday travel? Search—and compare prices—for thousands of parking facilities across the U.S. and Canada. Once you’ve found the spot you want, you can book and prepay for it via the app. When you arrive at your destination, simply follow the instructions for how to park your vehicle.
